Died of brain cancer in the Central California Women's Facility (prison) while serving her life sentence for murder. Her husband, James Whitehouse, subsequently released a statement saying that her last whispered word was 'Amen'.
Has one son Zezozose Zadfrack Glutz who was born on October 7, 1968. He was later adopted by a doctor, who changed his name to Paul. Atkins' parental rights were terminated once she was convicted of the murders.
Her husband, James Whitehouse, is a graduate of Harvard Law School who practices law in southern California. He represented Atkins at her last parole hearing, and plans to do so in future proceedings.